Reds vs. Cubs: Pitching preview, prediction, and more

The Reds return home following a difficult road trip.

While it’s tough to get too excited following a 3-4 road trip, the Cincinnati Reds (64-55) should be rolling back into the Queen City with a sense of relief and satisfaction. After dropping the first three games of the trip, the Reds rebounded to win three of their last four contests in Atlanta and Philadelphia to avert disaster.

The Reds enter play today in second place in the National League Central trailing the first-place Milwaukee Brewers by eight games. In addition, they sit 2.5 games behind the San Diego Padres for the second and final Wild Card berth.

Suddenly the Reds also need to pay attention to their rearview mirror. Winners of six in a row and eight of their last 10 contests, the St. Louis Cardinals have moved within two games of the Redlegs for the NL Central’s second spot.

However, following a week of games versus the Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals, the Redbirds’ schedule gets considerably more difficult as they welcome the Brewers to town for a three-game set beginning tomorrow night.

As far as the Chicago Cubs (52-68) are concerned, things could not be much worse. Losers of 11 straight and 22 of their last 30, the North Siders are 20.5 games back in the NL Central in fourth place. Since July 1st, the Cubs are a dismal 10-29. Woof!

Barring a miracle, the Cubbies are destined for their first losing season since the 2014 campaign. For a franchise that has gone to the postseason in five of the last six years, the good times have come to a resounding halt in the Windy City.

For a reeling Cubs squad, Cincinnati is the last place they want to visit. This year, the Reds are 9-4 against the Cubs, including a 6-1 mark at Great American Ball Park. So thankfully, for Cubbie fans, this will be their last visit to Southwest Ohio this year.